Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old man accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk, appeared in court in person for the first time on Thursday.

Robinson was dressed in a button-down shirt and tie after a judge granted a request allowing him to wear civilian clothing during pretrial proceedings. His parents and brother were present in the courtroom, defense attorneys said.

During the hearing, the judge addressed several issues related to media access. One discussion, held behind closed doors, concerned whether to release the audio recording and transcript from a sealed hearing conducted on Oct. 14. The judge said a decision on that matter — along with a motion by media organizations seeking limited party status in the case — will be issued on Dec. 29.

The court also ruled on a request from prosecutors to clarify an existing gag order. The state argued that the order’s definition of “witness” was overly broad, noting that more than 3,000 people could potentially be considered witnesses to the campus shooting.

The judge agreed to amend the order, ruling that the term “witness” applies only to individuals directly involved in the prosecution or defense, including those expected to testify at hearings or at trial.

Robinson’s next in-person court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 16, 2026.